Success on the Third Line

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
During his weekly meeting with the media this week, Penn State men's hockey head
coach Guy Gadowsky stressed consistency in both the offensive and defensive
zones. Coming off two strong series against Arizona State and Michigan State,
the team has been making practical strides toward their goal.

"Consistency is what our
goal is, that's what we're after," Gadowsky said. "I do still think we're very
aggressive deep, both offensively and defensively but I'd like us to be a lot
more consistent in certain areas."

The Nittany Lions have
been experiencing consistent success is their third line though, adjusted to
feature sophomores Nate Sucese and Brandon Biro with the addition of freshman
Sam Sternschein, who filled in for sophomore Denis Smirnov on the right wing.

Even with the line
experiencing some shakeups, keeping the pair of Sucese and Biro intact was a
no-brainer for the coaching staff.

"They've played together
in the past and they've showed synergy," Gadowsky said. "They are two guys that
do a lot of extra work."

Although the two line
mates work well together on the ice, their bond goes far beyond the ice. They're
roommates this year after rooming together last year, and both constantly
collaborating on how to improve their game.

"He's my best friend on
the team, we rarely spend any time apart," Biro said. "We pretty much talk
hockey all the time."

Individually, Biro score
in back-to-back against the Sun Devils along with three assists to earn himself
the Big Ten Third Star of the Week honor last week. The Canadian native also extended
career-high three-game point and assist streaks in game one against the
Spartans.

Sucese achieved his own
success alongside Biro, with two assists and a goal in game one against ASU as
well as an assist.

Complimenting an already
efficient pairing, Sternschein made a smooth transition on to the line, playing
like he had been there since the beginning of October. His efforts have not
gone unnoticed by his counterparts on the left and in the center of the offense
either.

"He's awesome,
especially coming in for his first couple of games," Biro said. "He's a super
fast player, he always seems to get open and he's getting more confident every
game. "It's been really easy to play with him."

Sternschein registered
his first career goal and an assist in game one against Arizona State, along
with an assist in game two. In game one back in Pegula against Michigan State,
the New York native put two in the back of the net in the first and second
period.

"Sammy Sternschein
absolutely did what he had to do to make a case that he should be in the lineup
every night," Gadowsky said. "Now it's just a matter of slotting him in and
finding synergy with him and someone else."

With Smirnov's return
into the lineup, Sternschein will have to readjust back to a different role on
the team off of the third line. He is confident though in the success he has
found so far in the season and that he can still contribute consistency to the
team.

"I'm just going to do
what I can, play my game, work hard every night and if I'm in the lineup that's
awesome that's what I want," Sternschein said. "The rest is up to the coaches."